Making Your Desk Space Feel Like Home

It’s kind of crazy when I think about how much time I spend here in the office. Nine to ten hours a day, five days a week… that’s definitely more time than I spend (awake) in my own home. In a way, the office is my other home, so why not make it feel like home?

I think it’s always good to feel comfortable wherever you are, work included. The more “at home” you feel, the less stressed you are, causing you to be more productive – and happier! We’re incredibly lucky to work in such a relaxed atmosphere at the FP home office. It makes it easy to feel comfortable. I realize that not all office buildings are like ours, but there are plenty of things you can do to make your desk space feel like home.

Textures

It may be overwhelming for some, but I love to be surrounded with different textures. The sleek, smooth look of most desk spaces makes me feel uneasy, so I’ve hung up pieces of crinkly white fabric and bits of crochet to make me feel more at home. You can really use anything – hang up an old blanket or cut up a pretty printed dress you found at a thrift store. Even the texture of a crinkled brown paper bag would look cool hanging up at your desk!

Lights

There’s nothing like a string of lights to create that cozy feeling of home. I found these at, like, Home Depot, and they quickly became one of my favorite desktop accessories. The first thing I do when I get to work in the morning is plug these babies in. I love how casual they look draped over my little mirror. Oh yeah, I also have a mirror on my desk. You never know when you’ll need one.

Plants

Living plants bring life into any space. Being surrounded by green offers such a breath of fresh air. If your office doesn’t have a lot of light, there are lots of plants that can survive on a minimal amount. I’ve been known to kill many a houseplant, but there are many types that require a minimal amount of care, like the houseplant you’ll never kill, which can thrive in just a bottle of water!

Scents

Bring the scents of home into your office to help keep you calm and relaxed. I keep one of my favorite candles on my desk at all times. Although I can’t actually light it at work, I take a little whiff of it every now and again, and I instantly feel at home. Lavender is a great scent to keep around because of its known therapeutic qualities. Make a little sachet of dried lavender to keep in your desk drawer — or fill a jar with some, close the lid, and store atop your desk until you crave the scent.

Photos

When work gets tough, it’s always comforting to be reminded of the loving people in your life and how much fun you have with them. I’ve never really been one to display photos in my home, but a few have made their way onto the wall behind my desk, and I love it. Glancing up at the smiling faces of my loved ones can lift my mood in an instant!

Kitchenware

I try to bring my meals to work as often as I can, and because of that, I’ve ended up with an entire cabinet’s worth of kitchenware at my desk. I have glasses, bowls, plates, forks, knives, — even a vegetable peeler. I’m a décor fiend so I looove my collection of kitchen supplies, and it’s so nice to be able to use them while I’m at work. Plus, it’s so much better for the environment than using disposables!

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Love all of these ideas! Going to use some! I keep my vitamins at my desk… since I am here most of the time, I can remember to take them! haha. I also keep plants, pictures, my favourite teas, and even hot chocolate for a special treat :-)

I am pretty much the only person in my office who decorated my desk… But I think the same way: I’m here so much, I may as well enjoy what I see near me! Passers-by love to comment on what I have on my walls or the fact that I sit on an exercise ball… I would love to cover my boring grey walls with fabric, something to consider…